It had been 4 months since Chase had come up....he stayed 1 week....Rachel remembered how wonderful he looked, tanned and muscular as he walked toward the house. She remembered how good it felt to feel his arms around hers and hers around him. She recalled the wonderful emotion of feeling safe within his strong embrace. The divine taste of his kiss still lingering on her lips. She had been so excited about his coming and so thrilled that he could stay a full week. But the turn of events that were to take place within that week were far from what she had expected. She felt beaten, depressed, devastated. Nothing was as it had been just a short while ago. Everything in her life had changed and she would carry the scars for the rest of her life. Clay and Ava seemed happy to see Chase. Rachel noticed right away how Clay's whole demeanor changed upon Chase's arrival. He became talkative, almost aggravating. Rachel wanted nothing more than for him to shut up and go about his chores so she could have some alone time with Chase. But that was not to take place until the wee morning hours as Clay and Chase spent the whole night talking. They spoke of old times, old girlfriends, college days and sports. Even Ava laid upon the sofa joining in on the conversation. Rachel became miffed at how they all acted like they were the best of friends. She didn't understand how Chase could be so concerned about her well being in his letters and then sit here shooting the breeze as if nothing had happened. And why all of a sudden did Clay put chores aside, sitting here acting as if Chase was his best friend? Nothing made any sense. But as the week played out, Rachel would learn that everything made too much sense and she would feel more alone then she had ever felt in her life. So here she sat, back in the comfort of her own home in Washington State, a blank piece of paper in front of her, pen in hand as thoughts clouded her mind, she began to pen out one last letter to the State Penitentiary to the man that had now left a lasting scar upon her heart. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~TO BE CONTINUED~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~